MONTREAL - Veteran Edith Noblecilla (Guayaquil, Ecuador/Santo Domingo de Guzmain) scored a game-high 21 points including a 4-6 performance from behind the arc but it wasn't enough as the No.7 McGill Martlets beat the Bishop's Gaiters 72-50 in an RSEQ University women's basketball semifinal on Wednesday night in Montreal.
Game Highlights:
The contest was Noblecilla's last as a Gaiter and also marked the first time she played in the post-season. Ashley Milhomme (Repentigny, Que./Collège Montmorency) was the only other Gaiter in double figures with 12 points.
Newly minted RSEQ MVP Alex Kiss-Rusk recorded a double-double scoring 15 points and grabbing 15 rebounds for the Martlets. Frederique Potvin chipped in with 13 points.
Bishop's got off to a dream start in their first post-season action in six years. They converted their first three attempts for a 6-0 lead. The defending national champions remained poised and methodically worked at both ends of the floor. They won the stanza 20-11 and put Bishop's in a hole.
The Martlets clearly had a plan to make Noblecilla work as they double-teamed her in the back court, and forced Bishop's to eat up valuable seconds getting the ball into their floor general's hands.
McGill forced 12 first half turnovers leading to 12 points. They also had nine offensive rebounds leading to 12 more shot attempts than the Gaiters.
The pesty Martlets continued to pressure and were able to extend their advantage to 41-21 at the half. They were efficient at the offensive end and tough at the defensive end.
A physical contest, McGill was only assessed two first half fouls, while Bishop's committed seven.
Kiss-Rusk led all scorers at the break with 13 points and extended the Gaiters defence, knocking down a number of 16-footers. Potvin chipped in with 11.
Noblecilla led the Gaiters with seven points at the break.
Again Bishop's started the second half strong forcing McGill bench boss Ryan Thorne to call a quick timeout. He was able to calm his troops and the Martlets capitalized on more Bishop's miscues to extend their lead to 59-33 after three quarters.
With the game all but in the books, the fourth quarter saw Bishop's chip away but it was too little too late. The Gaiters won the frame 17-13 but McGill took the contest 72-50
"McGill has championship pedigree, never underestimate the heart of a champion," said Craig Norman, Bishop's head coach. "Give them full credit. I thought we were tight and learned some valuable lessons. I was proud of the girls effort, I just felt we made so many mistakes and lost too many individual battles in the first three quarters that we couldn't overcome. The best is yet to come for us as far as I'm concerned."
McGill out-rebounded Bishop's 40-29 and shot 42.2 percent compared to the Gaiters 33.9 percent from the field.
The loss ends the Gaiters season while McGill moves onto the RSEQ Championship on Saturday. They will either host UQAM or travel to Laval.
Stay up-to-date with Gaiter Athletics anytime at www.gaiters.ca or on social media using @BishopsGaiters and #GaiterNation.
-30-
